Temperature regulating apparatus

ABSTRACT

A temperature regulating apparatus according to the present invention includes an accommodating member configured to accommodate a target object for temperature regulation, and an air bubble generation section configured to generate air bubbles in the liquid contained in the accommodating member.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present invention relates to a temperature regulating apparatus.

Related Art

Many different ways are taken to regulate the temperature of a target object. For example, to cool a baby bottle or wine, bottles are exposed to running water or soaked in water. To warm sake, a bottle of sake is soaked in hot water in a kettle.

JP 2014-135955 A discloses a baby bottle cooling apparatus for cooling a baby bottle containing milk hotter than an appropriate temperature so that the milk is cooled to the appropriate temperature, and the baby bottle cooling apparatus includes a cooling tub configured to contain a cooling medium to cool the baby bottle; a rotation supporting means configured to support the baby bottle in a rotatable manner at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane so that at least a nipple of the baby bottle does not make contact with the cooling medium in the cooling tub; and a rotation means configured to rotate the baby bottle, which is supported by the rotation supporting means in a rotatable manner, around a longitudinal axis of the baby bottle.

SUMMARY

Generally, preparation of milk is required at any time of day and night, and it takes much effort to expose a baby bottle to running water. Soaking a bottle in water or hot water is not an effective way of regulating the temperature, as it is time-consuming. According to the technique disclosed in JP 2014-135955 A, since water remains around the rotating baby bottle, the temperature is not effectively regulated.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to effectively regulate the temperature of a target object.

To solve the above problem, a temperature regulating apparatus according to the present invention includes an accommodating member configured to accommodate a target object for temperature regulation, and an air bubble generation section configured to generate air bubbles in the liquid contained in the accommodating member.

To solve the above problem, the air bubble generation section may generate the air bubbles so that the air bubbles go up along the surface of the target object.

To solve the above problem, the air bubble generation section may generate the air bubbles by using ultrasonic waves.

To solve the above problem, the temperature regulating apparatus may include a rotation body configured to rotate the target object supported by a fastening tool.

To solve the above problem, the air bubble generation section may include a plurality of nozzles configured to discharge the air bubbles in a direction inclined from the vertically upward direction along the surface of the target object having a substantially cylindrical shape.

To solve the above problem, the accommodating member may have a columnar shape having openings at opposing two ends, and may introduce the air bubbles entered through a lower one of the openings to an upper one of the openings.

To solve the above problem, the accommodating member may have a columnar shape having openings at opposing two ends, and may include a plurality of projections on an outer periphery of an upper one of the openings.

To solve the above problem, the temperature regulating apparatus may include a cooling device configured to cool the liquid.

To solve the above problem, the temperature regulating apparatus may include a heating device configured to heat the liquid.

To solve the above problem, the temperature regulating apparatus may thaw the target object which has been frozen.

To solve the above problem, the air bubble generation section may generate air bubbles of 0.5 mm or larger and less than 3 mm.

To solve the above problem, the air bubble generation section may generate micro-bubbles.

To solve the above problem, the air bubble generation section may generate the micro-bubbles at regular intervals.

To solve the above problem, the air bubble generation section may further generate nano-bubbles.

To solve the above problem, the air bubble generation section may include an air-bubble-temperature regulating apparatus configured to regulate the temperature of the air bubbles.

The present invention provides a temperature regulating apparatus capable of effectively regulating the temperature of a target object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an external view of a temperature regulating apparatus according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a temperature regulating apparatus according to a first modification;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a temperature regulating apparatus according to a second modification;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a temperature regulating apparatus according to a third modification;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a temperature regulating apparatus according to a fourth modification;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a temperature regulating apparatus according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a temperature regulating apparatus according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a temperature regulating apparatus according to a modification of the third embodiment;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic views of a temperature regulating apparatus according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view (part 1) of a temperature regulating apparatus according to a modification of the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view (part 2) of the temperature regulating apparatus according to the modification of the fourth embodiment; and

FIGS. 12A and 12B are schematic views of an accommodating member according to the modification of the fourth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION First Embodiment

Embodiments of the present invention are described below. FIG. 1 is an external view of a temperature regulating apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment. The first embodiment describes an example in which a baby bottle containing milk is used as a target object for temperature regulation, but the target object is not limited to a baby bottle. The target object may be an object containing liquid or may be a solid body. For example, juice in a container, fish, or the like may be a target object.

The temperature regulating apparatus 1 includes an accommodating member 2, a nozzle 3, a placing table 4, a fastening tool 5, a blow pipe 6, a blow pump 7, a sensor 8, and an operation board 9. The accommodating member 2 accommodates a target object A and a liquid as a cooling medium. An example of using water as a cooling medium is described below. The cooling medium may include ice or may include alcohol. The accommodating member 2 may include a lid to prevent a water splash to the outside. The nozzle 3, the blow pipe 6, and the blow pump 7 function as an air bubble generation section.

One or more of the nozzles 3 are provided along the outer periphery of the bottom surface of the target object A to cause air bubbles to be generated in the water contained in the accommodating member 2. The nozzle 3 may be an opening provided on the placing table 4 (described later) or may be an independent member connected to the opening on the placing table 4 at one end and having a second opening at the other end. At least a part of the air bubbles discharged from the nozzle 3 goes up along the surface of the target object A.

The placing table 4 is a table to place the target object A and includes one or more openings. The blow pipe 6 is configured to introduce the air from the blow pump 7 to the inside of the placing table 4. The fastening tool 5 is configured to engage the target object A with the placing table 4. The blow pump 7 is configured to transmit the air to the blow pipe 6 using power. The sensor 8 is configured to sense the temperature of the surface of the target object A or the temperature inside the container. The sensor 8 may be either a contact sensor or a non-contact sensor. The operation board 9 is a user interface configured to receive a user's operation.

According to the first embodiment, the accommodating member 2 accommodates water and a baby bottle containing milk. The baby bottle is engaged with the placing table 4 by the fastening tool 5. When the operation board 9 receives an operation, temperature regulation is started. Specifically, the blow pump 7 is driven to cause the air introduced into the placing table 4 to be discharged from the nozzle 3 in the form of air bubbles.

The air bubbles are pressed to and stick to the periphery of the baby bottle by water pressure. Then, at least a part of the air bubbles goes up along the surface of the baby bottle while rolling. The air bubbles rolling up along the surface of the baby bottle remove the standing water around the surface of the baby bottle. Since the water around the surface of the baby bottle is urged upward by the air bubbles, the temperature can be regulated more quickly. In addition, as the air bubbles move upward while rolling, an effect to increase the rising speed can be expected.

Note that the air bubbles of 0.1 mm or larger and less than 1 mm in diameter have approximately spherical shapes, and move upward linearly. The air bubbles of 1 mm or larger in diameter become vertically flattened as they become larger, and become spheroids having a minor axis as a rotation axis. The air bubbles of 1 mm or larger in diameter move upward helically, and still larger ones of the air bubbles move upward while irregularly vibrating. The air bubbles discharged from the nozzle 3 are desirably 0.1 mm or larger and less than 5 mm. The air bubbles discharged from the nozzle 3 are more desirably 0.5 mm or larger and less than 3 mm.

Heat exchange occurs at the boundary between the baby bottle and water. More specifically, the heat of the baby bottle is transferred to the water around the baby bottle. The water around the baby bottle moves upward accompanied by the air bubbles, and thus convection occurs in the water contained in the accommodating member 2. When a section of the accommodating member 2 is observed from a lateral direction, the convection occurs in such a manner that the rising water around the baby bottle is transferred to the upper wall surface of the accommodating member 2, lowered along the wall surface of the accommodating member 2, transferred toward the lower part of the baby bottle, and again raised in the vicinity of the baby bottle accompanied by the air bubbles. Since the convection prevents the standing of water, the surface of the baby bottle is cooled more quickly.

The temperature regulating apparatus 1 includes an arithmetic unit inside thereof (not shown). When the sensor 8 senses an appropriate temperature which has been input in advance through the operation board 9, the blow pump 7 is stopped and an alarm sound is issued. Note that the temperature regulating apparatus 1 may include a timer instead of or in addition to the sensor 8. When a predetermined time has lapsed after the air bubbles are generated, the blow pump 7 is stopped to stop the generation of the air bubbles.

First Modification

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a temperature regulating apparatus 1 according to a first modification. In the first modification, the temperature regulating apparatus 1 includes an ultrasonic transducer 11 instead of a nozzle 3, a blow pipe 6, and a blow pump 7. The ultrasonic transducer 11 functions as an air bubble generation section. The ultrasonic transducer 11 includes a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element which is deformed by using a drive signal to generate an ultrasonic wave, thereby generating fine air bubbles. Referring to FIG. 2, the ultrasonic transducer 11 of the temperature regulating apparatus 1 is disposed on the back surface (i.e., a surface opposed to the surface on which the target object A is placed) of the placing table 4.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the generated air bubbles move up along the surface of the baby bottle. As described above, at least a part of the air bubbles touching the surface of the baby bottle is considered to roll when moving up along the surface of the baby bottle. With this configuration, heat is transferred from the target object A to the water in the vicinity of the baby bottle more quickly, and thus the temperature regulation is more actively performed.

Second Modification

A second modification is described below. According to this modification, an air bubble generation section generates air bubbles of at least two sizes. The air bubble generation section of this modification includes at least the nozzle 3, the blow pipe 6, the blow pump 7 according to the above embodiment, and generates air bubbles of 0.1 mm or larger and less than 5 mm (hereinafter referred to as “normal bubbles”) in the same manner as the above embodiment.

The air bubble generation section according to this modification generates micro-bubbles and/or nano-bubbles. The diameters of the micro-bubbles are 0.5 μm or larger and less than 50 μm. The diameters of the nano-bubbles are less than 500 nm (for example, 10 nm or larger and less than 500 nm).

Away to generate the micro-bubbles is not limited. For example, the nozzle 3 configured to generate the micro-bubbles is provided in addition to the nozzle 3 configured to generate the normal bubbles. The nozzle 3 for the micro-bubbles may be connected to a pressurizing device so that the air sent from the blow pump 7 through the blow pipe 6 is pressurized and injected from the nozzle 3 to generate micro-bubbles. The nozzle 3 for the micro-bubbles may be connected to a whirlpool generation device to generate micro-bubbles by a whirlpool, for example. The same is applied to a way to generate the nano-bubbles.

The air bubble generation section may include an ultrasonic transducer 11 in addition to the nozzle 3, the blow pipe 6, and the blow pump 7. In this case, for example, while the micro-bubbles or nano-bubbles are generated by the ultrasonic transducer 11 disposed inside the placing table 4, the blow pump 7 transmits air into the placing table 4 to discharge the air bubbles from the nozzle 3 on the placing table 4.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a temperature regulating apparatus 1 according to a second modification. In the temperature regulating apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 3, the nozzles 3 configured to generate the normal bubbles and the nozzles 3 configured to generate the micro-bubbles are alternately disposed. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the water contained in an accommodating member becomes cloudy due to the micro-bubbles. Note that the temperature regulating apparatus 1 may include the nozzle 3 configured to generate the nano-bubbles. However, in the case where air bubbles having a particle size of a nano-bubble are to be generated, the air bubbles are not always visible.

Note that the particles of the micro-bubbles and the nano-bubbles are so small that the micro-bubbles and the nano-bubbles drift in water for a longer period of time than the normal bubbles. Accordingly, the air bubble generation section may generate the micro-bubbles or the nano-bubbles intermittently. In this case, the air bubble generation section may generate the micro-bubbles and the nano-bubbles at regular intervals, while continuously generating the normal bubbles.

Note that the micro-bubbles and the nano-bubbles are known to have a cleaning effect and a sterilizing effect. The temperature regulating apparatus 1 according to this modification is expected to clean and sterilize the surface of the target object in addition to effective regulation of the temperature.

Furthermore, the temperature regulating apparatus 1 according to this modification may generate the micro-bubbles in addition to the normal bubbles, or may generate the nano-bubbles in addition to the normal bubbles. The temperature regulating apparatus 1 may generate both of the micro-bubbles and the nano-bubbles in addition to the normal bubbles.

Third Modification

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a temperature regulating apparatus 1 according to a third modification. A nozzle 3 according to this modification has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a plurality of the nozzles 3 are provided on a placing table 4 in such a manner that tip ends thereof are pointed in a direction inclined from the vertically upward direction along the side surface of the baby bottle. The nozzles 3 are disposed in an inclined manner in which the tip ends thereof rotate in a common direction. As a result, when the air is transmitted from the blow pump 7, air bubbles are discharged obliquely upward from the nozzles 3 along the surface of the baby bottle.

Note that the nozzles 3 are desirably disposed at an angle of 50 degrees or more and less than 85 degrees with respect to the placing table 4. It is more desirable to dispose the nozzles 3 at an angle of 60 degrees or more and less than 75 degrees with respect to the placing table 4.

Note that each nozzle 3 shown in FIG. 4 is disposed on the placing table 4 such that one end to discharge the air bubbles is situated above the surface of the placing table 4. However, the configuration of each nozzle 3 is not limited thereto, and each nozzle 3 may be disposed such that one end to discharge the air bubbles is positioned on substantially the same plane as the surface of the placing table 4. In such a case, the air bubbles are discharged obliquely upward from one end of each nozzle 3, which is positioned on the same level as the surface of the placing table 4, along the surface of the baby bottle.

In addition, the nozzles 3 according to this modification are disposed such that tip ends thereof are positioned in an inclined direction along the side surface of the baby bottle. Thus, comparing the diameter of a generally circular shape obtained by connecting the contacts between the nozzles 3 and the placing table 4 is substantially the same as or larger than the diameter of a generally circular shape obtained by connecting the tip ends of the nozzles 3 configured to discharge the air bubbles.

According to the temperature regulating apparatus 1 of this modification, a whirlpool having the target object A as a rotational axis occurs in the vicinity of the target object A due to the air bubbles discharged in an obliquely upward direction. In addition to the above described convection between the vicinity of the baby bottle and the wall surface of the accommodating member 2, the whirlpool causes water to flow, thus facilitating a more active regulation of the temperature.

Fourth Modification

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a temperature regulating apparatus 1 according to a fourth modification. In the same manner as the temperature regulating apparatus 1 according to the second modification, the temperature regulating apparatus 1 according to this modification includes a nozzle 3 having a substantially cylindrical shape, and the nozzle 3 is disposed with the tip end thereof being pointed in a direction inclined from the vertically upward direction. A plurality of the nozzles 3 are disposed in an inclined manner with the tip ends rotating in a common direction. The nozzles 3 according to this modification are disposed such that the tip ends thereof are pointed in a direction slightly inclined outward having the target object A as the center.

As a result, the diameter of a generally circular shape obtained by connecting the tip ends of the nozzles 3 configured to discharge the air bubbles is larger than the diameter of a generally circular shape obtained by connecting the contacts between the nozzles 3 and the placing table 4.

The configuration of the nozzles 3 according to this modification generates a whirlpool having the target object A as a rotational axis and having a diameter larger than the target object A. In addition to the above described convection between the vicinity of the baby bottle and the wall surface of the accommodating member 2, the water is stirred by the whirlpool, thus accelerating the regulation of the temperature.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a temperature regulating apparatus 10 according to a second embodiment. The temperature regulating apparatus 10 according to this embodiment turns a target object A accommodated in an accommodating member 2. The temperature regulating apparatus 10 according to this embodiment includes a shaft 12 a, a shaft 12 b, a gear 13, a turntable 14, a motor 15, a switch 16, and a transmission part 17. The same components which are identical to the components according to the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the components different from those of the above embodiment are described below.

The turntable 14 is configured to rotate the placing table 4 on which the target object A is placed. The turntable 14 houses the blow pump 7, the shaft 12 a, the shaft 12 b, the gear 13, the motor 15, the switch 16, and the transmission part 17. The turntable 14 houses a battery B. The power is supplied from the battery B to the motor 15 by operating the switch 16. Activation of the motor 15 causes the shaft 12 a to rotate, and the rotation of the shaft 12 a is transmitted to the gear 13 to cause the shaft 12 b to rotate. The rotation of the shaft 12 b turns the placing table 4.

The fastening tool 5 is provided on the placing table 4 to be engaged with the target object A. With this configuration, the bottom of the target object A is supported by the placing table 4, and the target object A is subjected to a rotary motion together with the placing table 4.

The transmission part 17 includes a cam (not shown), and periodically accelerates or decelerates the shaft 12 b. This prevents the water inside the accommodating member 2 to swirl integrally with the target object A and causes the water to be stirred more thoroughly, thus facilitating the heat exchange more effectively. The transmission part 17 may be omitted to simplify the configuration of the temperature regulating apparatus 10.

The accommodating member 2 includes a lid 2 a to prevent a splash of the water contained therein. The placing table 4 includes nozzles 3 (not shown), and air bubbles are discharged from the nozzles 3 in the same manner as the above embodiment.

According to this embodiment, the rotation of the target object A prevents water from standing on the surface of the target object A, and stirs the water inside the accommodating member 2, and thus heat exchange is effectively performed between the target object A and the water, thereby accelerating the regulation of the temperature. The temperature regulating apparatus 10 of this embodiment may have a music box function.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a temperature regulating apparatus 20 according to a third embodiment. The same components which are identical to the components according to the above embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and the components different from those of the above embodiments are described below.

The temperature regulating apparatus 20 according to this embodiment is accommodated in a container C. The container C is filled with water, and the water is introduced into a gap between the accommodating member 2 and the target object A. The accommodating member 2 has a generally circular or rectangular cylindrical shape, and has openings on the opposing two sides. In FIG. 7, the accommodating member 2 is disposed on the temperature regulating apparatus 20 so as to extend in a substantially vertical direction, but may be disposed in any direction in which the vertical positions of the two openings differ from each other, for example may be disposed to extend in an oblique direction. The accommodating member 2 functions as a lifting pipe in an air bubble pump (airlift pump).

In FIG. 7, the fastening tool 5 is disposed on the accommodating member 2 to be engaged with the target object A, but may be disposed on the placing table 4 in the same manner as the above embodiments. The accommodating member 2 and the placing table 4 are fixed to each other, but a fixing way is not limited.

Referring to FIG. 7, the placing table 4 according to this embodiment also functions as a blow pipe 6 and extends in a substantially vertical direction. The placing table 4 includes one or more nozzles 3 on the side surface thereof. However, the configuration of the placing table 4 and the one or more nozzles 3 is not limited thereto, and the one or more nozzles 3 may be provided on the upper surface of the placing table 4 in the same manner as the above embodiments.

When the blow pump 7 transmits air into the placing table 4, air bubbles are discharged from the one or more nozzles 3. The air bubbles flow into the accommodating member 2 from the lower opening of the accommodating member 2, and push the water around the lower opening upward. The water and the air bubbles are led upward through a gap between the inner wall of the accommodating member 2 and the target object A, and discharged from the upper opening of the accommodating member 2. When reaching the upper opening of the accommodating member 2, the water hits the inner wall of the container C and moves downward (in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIG. 7). This causes the water in the container C to flow. This continuous flow causes the water inside the accommodating member 2 to circulate from the lower side to the upper side, and thus the heat exchange between the target object A and the water is more actively performed.

Modification

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a temperature regulating apparatus 20 according to a modification of the third embodiment. According to this modification, the placing table 4 does not include a nozzle 3, but the blow pipe 6, which extends to the vicinity of the lower opening of the accommodating member 2, includes one or more nozzles 3. Air bubbles discharged from the nozzle(s) 3 are introduced into the accommodating member 2 through the lower opening of the accommodating member 2, and led upward through a gap between the inner wall of the accommodating member 2 and the target object A, in the same manner as the above embodiments.

According to this modification, the accommodating member 2 functions as a lifting pipe, and thus the temperature is effectively regulated. Since the blow pump 7 can be easily detached, it is possible to further simplify the configuration of the temperature regulating apparatus 20.

Fourth Embodiment

FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic views of a temperature regulating apparatus 30 according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 9A is a sectional view of the temperature regulating apparatus 30 according to the fourth embodiment. The same components which are identical to the components according to the above embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and the components different from those of the above embodiments are described below. FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate an example in which a wine bottle is used as a target object A.

The temperature regulating apparatus 30 according to this embodiment includes an accommodating member 2 with a fastening tool 5, a blow pipe 6, and one or more blow pumps 7. The accommodating member 2 is accommodated in a container C such as a bucket. The accommodating member 2 has a cylindrical shape having openings on the opposing two sides. At least in the vicinity of the lower opening, the accommodating member 2 has a plurality of holes to allow water to go in and out.

One end of the blow pipe 6 is disposed in the vicinity of the lower opening of the accommodating member 2. The one end of the blow pipe 6 functions as a nozzle 3, and the air bubbles discharged from the nozzle 3 move up through a gap between the inner wall of the accommodating member 2 and the target object A. In the same manner as the third embodiment, the accommodating member 2 functions as a lifting pipe in an air bubble pump, and facilitates the circulation of the water from the lower opening to the upper opening.

The accommodating member 2 may have a cylindrical shape of which upper and lower openings have substantially the same radius, or may have a tapered shape of which upper opening is narrower than the lower opening as shown in FIG. 9A. The accommodating member 2 may have any shape corresponding to the shape of the target object A. Referring to FIG. 9A, the lower opening may be gradually expanded outward from the cylindrical body of the accommodating member 2.

In the same manner as in the third embodiment, the accommodating member 2 is not necessarily disposed with its long sides being vertically arranged. The accommodating member 2 may be disposed in any manner in which the vertical positions of the openings are different from each other. Referring to FIG. 9A, the upper opening of the accommodating member 2 is disposed above the surface of the water. This makes it possible to see the water issuing from the upper opening, thereby enabling production of a refreshed feeling. The upper opening of the accommodating member 2 may be disposed below the surface of the water.

FIG. 9B is a plan view of the accommodating member 2 according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 9B shows the accommodating member 2 in FIG. 9A as viewed from above in the y-direction toward the gravity direction. A plurality of projections 2 b are provided at a regular intervals on the outer periphery of the upper opening of the accommodating member 2. The projections 2 b are curled outward around the target object A. In other words, the upper opening is gradually expanded outward.

With the projections 2 b, the upper opening has a substantially star-shape in a plan view in which a plurality parts of the outer periphery of the circular shape are recessed toward the center. In FIG. 9B, the upper opening of the accommodating member 2 has six projections 2 b at regular intervals. Note that the tip ends of the projections 2 b may be positioned lower than the recessed parts between the projections 2 b as viewed from the X-direction. In other words, the upper opening may have a waveform as viewed from the side of the accommodating member 2. With this configuration, in the case where the upper opening is positioned above the surface of the water, the water issuing from the upper opening is smoothly poured into the container C, thereby producing a beautiful site.

Note that the shape of the upper opening may be changed as appropriate. The shape may be a circle as a matter of course.

Modification

FIG. 10 is a sectional view (part 1) of a temperature regulating apparatus 30 according to a modification of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 illustrates an example in which a bottle of sake is used as a target object A. The temperature regulating apparatus 30 according to this embodiment includes a heater 22 configured to generate heat, and is capable of warming a cold target object A.

Referring to FIG. 10, the heater 22 is disposed outside of the container C to warm the water inside the container C. The water may be warmed in advance by other means. When air bubbles enter the accommodating member 2 from the lower opening thereof, the water that has been warmed by the heater 22 goes upward together with the air bubbles. Then, heat is transferred from the warmed water to the target object A, thereby warming the target object A. Since the air bubbles and the warmed water circulate upwardly through a gap between the inner wall of the accommodating member 2 and the target object A, the temperature of the target object A is quickly regulated.

With this configuration, in the case where sake needs to be warmed for example, the temperature can be regulated simply and efficiently.

Note that the heater 22 is not necessarily required in the case where the target object A can be warmed to a target temperature by putting water that has been warmed by other means into the container C. Instead of the heater 22, a cooling device may be used to cool the target object A.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view (part 2) of a temperature regulating apparatus 30 according to a modification of the fourth embodiment. The target object A shown in FIG. 11 is not beverages or containers for beverages, but food-products such as frozen foods. The accommodating member 2 includes a lattice-shaped member capable of passing air bubbles to the vicinity of the lower opening. The target object A is placed on the upper surface of the lattice-shaped member.

When the air bubbles are discharged from the nozzle 3 which is an end of the blow pipe 6, some go across the accommodating member 2 through the lattice-shaped member, while some go up inside the accommodating member 2 along the surface of the target object A. The air bubbles go up while closing the target object A from the various directions, thus facilitating an active temperature regulation.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are schematic views of the accommodating member 2 according to the modification of the fourth embodiment. FIGS. 12A and 12B show the accommodating member 2 in FIG. 11 as viewed from above in the y-direction toward the gravity direction.

The accommodating member 2 according to this modification includes two members, i.e., a member 31 and a member 32. Each of the member 31 and the member 32 includes one or more fin-like members 33 on the inner wall thereof. With the one or more fin-like members 33, an appropriate distance to pass the air bubbles and rising water can be provided between the inner wall of the accommodating member 2 and the target object A. The one or more fin-like members 33 may be extended continuously along a long side of the accommodating member 2, or may be provided separately from each other at a plurality of places of the long side of the accommodating member 2.

The member 31 and the member 32 are U-shaped members having a nest structure so that the member 32 is capable of storing the member 31. FIG. 12B shows the accommodating member 2 in a state in which the member 32 stores the member 31. When the member 32 stores the member 31, a part of the fin-like members 33 provided on the inner walls that come in contact with the member 31 among the inner walls of the member 32 is folded along the inner wall. This makes it possible to change the size of the accommodating member 2, so that target objects A of various sizes can be accommodated.

According to the modification of the fourth embodiment, the member 31, the member 32, and the fin-like members 33 are not necessarily provided.

In the case where fish or the like is to be thawed, it is desirable to keep a low temperature, for example not less than zero degrees Celsius and less than six degrees Celsius, more desirably around two degrees Celsius to preserve the freshness. In the case where the temperatures of vegetables are to be regulated, it is desirable to keep a temperature around four degrees Celsius. The temperature regulating apparatus according to this embodiment can quickly adjust the temperature to an appropriate temperature.

In the case where frozen foods in a completely frozen state are to be thawed, it is hard to thaw such frozen foods even to the inside in a short period of time. However, according to the temperature regulating apparatus of this embodiment, rolling air bubbles causes the water to flow, thus enabling the target object to be thawed quickly. In view of the above, the temperature regulating apparatus according to this embodiment can quickly regulate the temperature of the target object to an appropriate temperature. In particular, the micro-bubbles or the nano-bubbles are generated and dissolved in water, thereby effectively enhancing the heat transfer efficiency.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, the invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and may be defined according to various applications.

For example, the temperature regulating apparatus may regulate the temperature of the air bubbles to control the speed of the regulation of the temperature. In such a case for example, a heater or a cooler is connected to the blow pump 7 to regulate the temperature of the air bubbles. The blow pump 7 discharges the temperature-regulated-air bubbles from the nozzle 3.

For example, the temperature regulating apparatus may generate air bubbles containing a predetermined amount or more of carbon dioxide or nitrogen gas. This enhances the safety and the thermal efficiency.

Note that the above described features of one or more of the embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. The temperature regulating apparatuses according to one of the above embodiments may include a feature of another embodiment. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A temperature regulating apparatus comprising: an accommodating member configured to accommodate a target object for temperature regulation; a container configured to accommodate the accommodating member and liquid; and an air bubble generation section configured to generate air bubbles into liquid contained in the accommodating member, wherein the air bubble generation section generates the air bubbles in such a manner that the air bubbles go up in the liquid introduced into a gap between the target object and the accommodating member along a surface of the target object to generate circulation of the liquid.
 2. The temperature regulating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the accommodating member is projected above a surface of the liquid.
 3. A temperature regulating apparatus comprising: an accommodating member configured to accommodate a target object for temperature regulation; and an air bubble generation section configured to generate air bubbles into liquid contained in the accommodating member, wherein the air bubble generation section regulates a temperature of the air bubbles. 